Everyone Who Loves

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

It is impossible to express true love apart from God, and that may be an astounding statement to some. But John presents a definition of love unlike any other; that love is strictly a God-thing, and anything that is not from God is something less than love. Our feelings may be passionate, sincere, deeply felt, and lavishly expressed, but if they are not of God, it is not love. John says, everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. This statement takes love out of the realm of human thought and expression, and places it in the realm of the spirit. In other words, God is love, and only those born of God truly express love according to His Person and His measure.

. . . because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)

If we can satisfy God’s command to love without the Holy Spirit, why did the Father send Him? Obviously, we need Him in order to love as God loves. Our Lord will never be satisfied with love that doesn’t meet His standard, and that standard is only satisfied in Jesus Christ. God's love is holy and divine, and it alone is without agenda or prejudice. The Lord wants to bring us to the higher ground of holy love, far past emotion and passion; and He will, if we allow. Only God’s love is true love. Just remember, "For God so love the world . . . " (John 3:16)

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, teach me to love as I am loved by Jesus. May my love be derived from the Holy Spirit Who dwells in me, and from no other source. Thank You, Amen.